(Part 2)
Are We For Our Friends or Our Enemies?
I’ve noticed a somewhat strange inclination within my people. We tend to miss opportunities to cultivate possible alliances and friendships, while instead offering substantial support to future enemies. I’m not certain if it’s due to a fear of our present enemies, or other economic and unknown considerations. Since God had called me to focus on Israel’s “widowhood” and her restoration into becoming a “Mama-Nation” [for more on the subject, see my articles on Israel, a Widow? and Ruth and Naomi], I believe it has to do with our spiritual and political short-sight. And I hope that as Israel prepares for “the day after (this war),” we will break that cycle and set ourselves on a healthier and holier path.
Armenia – Friend or Foe?
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its religion. During World War I (1915-1918), their present neighbors to the west – the Ottoman Turks – massacred them systematically. It involved mass deportations, death marches, forced displacement on packed trains to concentration camps, poisoning with toxic gases, rape of women who were then taken captive and sold to brothels, slaughter of infants, and mass burnings of bodies tied together. Sounds too familiar!
By the way, less than 20 years later, Hitler marched his troops into Poland and commanded them to “kill without mercy all men, women, and children of Polish descent or language.” This was only the first step in Hitler’s ethnic cleansing. When some of his officers expressed reservations, fearing global public opinion, Hitler asked them, “Who speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?” This was his proof that it was possible to annihilate the Polish people.
Back to the Armenian Massacre
Within the Jewish community in the Land there were some who tried to assist, or at least raise awareness, of the systematic genocide. Members of the famous NILI group (1915-1917), some of whom witnessed the horrors in Armenia firsthand, wrote extensively about it to the British authorities. Eliezer Ben Yehuda, for example, initiated fundraising efforts for them, but many pioneers refused to assist. To them, “the Armenians were nothing but Amalekites,” therefore deserving annihilation. Others were simply indifferent. I think the reason was the heavy struggle for their own existence in the Land back then, but behind the refusal were also some political considerations.
Why am I Elaborating on This?
Christian Armenia is in a constant war – with Moslem Azerbaijan in the east and Turkey in the west. Last September, the Azerbaijanis captured an enclave (called Nagorno-Karabakh) that has been a part of Armenia for centuries. Both sides needed assistance in weaponry. Israel decided to sell to the Muslim Azerbaijanis equipment and arms worth billions of dollars, thus enabling them to defeat the Armenians and expel them from that strip of their land.
Armenia has an air force. Its entire fleet consists of one plane! The stories I’ve heard from some survivors of this war resemble descriptions of October 7th in the Gaza Strip. The Azerbaijanis severed limbs of Armenians while they were still alive, tortured, raped, and starved them. Apparently, the face of Islamic terror looks the same everywhere.
Azerbaijan borders Iran, and of course, Israel has political considerations behind this martial aid. The ties with Azerbaijan provide us some access to Iran, and allows us to establish intelligence bases and much more. The immediate gain is clear. Yet I wonder if we are also nurturing in that region an Islamic force that might one day turn against us, while ignoring a People who could become our friends and allies.
Israel still refuses to officially recognize the Armenian genocide by the Ottomans. Here, too, the considerations are political. It can be understood, yet there is again a lack of vision. These days we, Israelis, struggle to understand how so many around the world are able to not acknowledge our suffering, and refuse to call the acts of rape and butchery by their name. Each time I encounter another expression of this, I feel frustrated, lonely and abandoned. So I can understand the frustration and loneliness of the Armenians.
Lebanon – Friend or Foe?
A similar scenario, albeit under different circumstances, occurred in southern Lebanon. We entered that strip in 1982, conquered, and even trained a Christian militia there (the Southern Lebanese Army – SLA). For several decades it operated under the auspices of our IDF. The political echelon thought that by stabilizing the Christian rule over there, we could stop attacks on Israel from Lebanese territory and create a significant change in its structure.
But the plan failed. And so in May 2000, the IDF withdrew from Lebanon. The SLA Christian militia immediately collapsed. Without an Israeli presence in the security zone, they could not overcome Hezbollah. Fast-forward several decades to our current times, and once again it is clear that we indirectly neglected a possible friend and nurtured an enemy.
A Champion with No Name
In Zechariah 9, the prophet mentions different nations harming Israel from the north and the south: Damascus, Hamath, Tyre, Sidon, and the cities of the Philistines. In verses 2-4 he describes the destruction of Tyre and Sidon (Lebanon today), and tells how the Philistines (Gaza Strip) will watch this destruction and feel shame and fear (v. 5).
Since October 7th, it is Lebanon that is observing what we are doing in the Gaza Strip and exerting pressure on the brakes. Zechariah’s description is the opposite of what is prevalent today, yet this prophecy fuels my prayers these days, as well as my hope.
God goes on and promises to cut down the pride of the Philistines (v. 6) by placing among their cities (Ashdod, for example) someone they consider a “foreigner.” Apparently, someone who has no right to rule there. Many parts of this prophecy have been fulfilled by Alexander the Great, when he was on his way to conquer Egypt (332 B.C.). However, that fact does not align with v. 7.
Even though the Arabs living in Gaza today are NOT the descendants of the Biblical Philistines, the spirit of the Philistines, whose main habitat was the Gaza Strip, has never been defeated. It still prevails there and directs events. So it’s easy for me to attribute Zechariah’s words to those living in Gaza now:
“I will take away his (the foreigner’s) blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth; and he also shall be a remnant for our God; and he shall be as a chieftain in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite”.
God promises that He will remove the thirst for blood, the cravings for slaughter from the “foreigner”, as well as the “Philistine pride.” He will also remove the abominations and filth from their mouths. Moreover, a remnant will repent and serve our God. And from among them a leader, a champion, shall arise for Judah.
The Gaza Strip is part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. Zechariah promises here that specifically from among the enemy will emerge someone, hopefully more than one person, who will serve God. They will have a prominent position among the people, just like Rahab.
And that’s not all. Between Judah and Ekron there will be friendly relations, like those between the Jebusites, who remained in Jerusalem after its conquest in the days of David. Let’s remember that one of the most famous Jebusites – Araunah – even sold his threshing floor to David, so that he could build there an altar to God.
How do I Pray Over Gaza?
God, establish for Yourself a remnant among the residents of Gaza, people who will serve You. Reveal Yourself to them as the God of Israel. Lead them to repent for blaspheming the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel. Give them courage to choose You and to help crush the enemy’s head. Open a door in their hearts, even a small window, where they will hang a scarlet ribbon, and join the people of Israel and the promises You have given us. Turn them into champions in Judah.
Father, by virtue of all that Yeshua did for us, I ask that You open deaf ears and blind eyes in Gaza and Lebanon. That many hearts there will soften, so that they no longer will rise against Israel, for they will know beyond any doubt that the LORD our God is the only God, in heaven and on earth.
Remove their bloodthirst and every idol from between their teeth. Teach them to serve You and choose what Rahab and Yael chose, so they can save themselves and their families from ruin. Turn them into champions and leaders in Judah, strong warriors who will raise an altar in the heart of the enemy’s territory.
How do I Pray Over Israel in This Context?
I rely on the following verse:
“And I will encamp about Mine house against the army, that none pass through or return; neither shall the defiler again pass through them anymore; for now I have seen with Mine eyes” (V. 8).
So…
Abba, thank You for protecting Your house from hostile nations who are passing to and fro and trampling our Land. Thank You that Judah will no longer know defilers, for You will watch over it and look from heaven.
Abba, please forgive us for our limited vision in politics, for not seeking Your Face in such decisions, and for acting based on fears and fleshly considerations. Forgive us for not acknowledging the sufferings of the Armenians, for not continuing to nurture our friendship with Christians in southern Lebanon and for not seeking Your solution for Gaza on the “day after.” Keep us from further such mistakes and establish among us leadership that relies on You, hears Your voice, and advances Your plan. In Yeshua’s name!
You are turning Israel from a bereaved widow into a spotless Bride. Heal our self image and help us look at ourselves through Your Word – true “Hebrews,” who can easily cross over when needed [for more see Crossing Over – a Hebrewism], and can see who You have designed us to be, a Nation with a huge bosom, a Sovereign God and amazing destiny.
Dream with me
I invite you to dream with me about Gaza becoming the largest Christian city in the Middle East. About a city where an altar to our God will be erected, whose inhabitants will understand God’s full plan and know their place on the wall He is building around Israel.
Orna Grinman | Ot OoMofet Ministries | A Sign and Example 